Handbrake handbrake self release (inc recall letter)

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Followers of this thread may remember that I stated on 2nd May I would write to Honda UK to seek written advice on how to apply the replacement handbrake. At the third attempt, I have, today, received that advice. It is from Steve Dyer, Manager, Customer Operations. It reads,

"Honda would recommend that you continue to follow the advice detailed within the owner's handbook and further detailed within the correspondence to you regarding handbrake operation".

Steve ignores the point in my last letter to him that the replacement handbrake was meant to reduce inconvenience. Not to touch the release button on applying the handbrake was defined as the inconvenience.

So there we have it folks, probably as most of us expected.

I think the wording of the letter sent out to all affected by Recorded Delivery last November/December could have been better.

I will now put my tin hat on!

Well DT, that appears to have fallen on stony ground

[shauncherry]

I got the recall letter about a week ago and booked my car in. I took it in, they did the work. The very same day that afternoon my car was parked on my driveway and rolled away. The handbrake was still on, it hadn’t clicked off it’s ratchet.

I never had a problem with my handbrake before the recall. I'm thoroughly p####d off about it, and feel I can’t trust it any more.

It’s an Automatic, but doesn’t have the ‘P’ark position like other normal automatics. I have started to leave it in ‘A’uto mode when parked. It is a little awkward to do this and seems illogical, but i’m getting into the habit of it.

(Thankfully no harm was done when it rolled away, by a miracle of chance a friend saw it happen and ran in front of it, held the car and phoned me with his mobile)

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by shauncherry

I got the recall letter about a week ago and booked my car in. I took it in, they did the work. The very same day that afternoon my car was parked on my driveway and rolled away. The handbrake was still on, it hadn’t clicked off it’s ratchet.

I never had a problem with my handbrake before the recall. I'm thoroughly p####d off about it, and feel I can’t trust it any more.

It’s an Automatic, but doesn’t have the ‘P’ark position like other normal automatics. I have started to leave it in ‘A’uto mode when parked. It is a little awkward to do this and seems illogical, but i’m getting into the habit of it.

(Thankfully no harm was done when it rolled away, by a miracle of chance a friend saw it happen and ran in front of it, held the car and phoned me with his mobile)

Wow, a very lucky escape. Well done your friend. I too have an i-shift. Please ensure when you leave your car in gear, that the "A" or '1' or "R" symbol is permanently on when switching off engine. I'm sure you do.

[Jack The Lad.]

I admire your persistance DT.
I reckon if you had written to them asking if the rear O/S wheel should be square shaped, you wouldn't have received a straight answer.

[Doubtingthomas]

Thank you Jack The Lad.

My first letter was 'ignored', so I sent a second by Recorded Delivery, well they sent me one by this method. The point I made about 'reducing the inconvenience' referred to in Honda's original recall letter, giving advice on how to operate the existing handbrake, until the replacement handbrake was fitted, was totally ignored by the writer. Surprise, surprise.

Well, it's all water under the bridge now but my wife and I are very careful to operate the replacement handbrake as if it was the original defective one. Progress?

[generationgav]

Is there any easy way to visually tell if the handbrake mod has been done? I'm potentially getting an "almost new" Civ and want to ensure that it's done.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by generationgav

Is there any easy way to visually tell if the handbrake mod has been done? I'm potentially getting an "almost new" Civ and want to ensure that it's done.

I don't think so although to me and a few others there appears to be a slight variance in colour. However, the recall only affected a certain, albeit large number, of Civics. As far as I know 08 models are not affected. So it just depends on the year of manufacture. If you are buying from a Honda Dealer they should be able to tell you immediately of the situation. If you are buying from a non honda dealer, make a note of the VIN/Chassis number and have it checked by a Honda Dealer. There is an on line facility but this only tells you whether there is any outstanding work on your car, and does not define exactly what the work is.
Good luck with your 'almost new' Civic.

[generationgav]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

I don't think so although to me and a few others there appears to be a slight variance in colour.
Good luck with your 'almost new' Civic.

I had it done and it was a slightly different colour also - but not sure how well I'm going to be able to notice this on a brand new car.
It's an 07 pre-reg so I'm not sure if this will need the recall or not.
I am buying it from a Honda dealer and will definitely be checking with them that it's done, but want to be absolutely sure and I know what they're like (esp as I'm dealing with a sales person!!)
Thanks anyway, I hope it's better than my last experience!

[Earlybird]

Originally Posted by generationgav

Is there any easy way to visually tell if the handbrake mod has been done? I'm potentially getting an "almost new" Civ and want to ensure that it's done.

I went to my local honda dealer and asked what recalls applied to my my car , he checked online with my vin number mine just had the handbrake issue & is being done next week. you can also check online at honda's site with your vin number but it only tells you if there are issues not what they are

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Followers of this thread may remember that I stated on 2nd May I would write to Honda UK to seek written advice on how to apply the replacement handbrake. At the third attempt, I have, today, received that advice. It is from Steve Dyer, Manager, Customer Operations. It reads,

"Honda would recommend that you continue to follow the advice detailed within the owner's handbook and further detailed within the correspondence to you regarding handbrake operation".

Steve ignores the point in my last letter to him that the replacement handbrake was meant to reduce inconvenience. Not to touch the release button on applying the handbrake was defined as the inconvenience.

So there we have it folks, probably as most of us expected.

I think the wording of the letter sent out to all affected by Recorded Delivery last November/December could have been better.

I will now put my tin hat on!

haven't you just answered your own question??

Its a RELEASE button, not an application button. Pull the handbrake up against the ratchet, you know its been applied. Press the button, disengages the ratchet, you know its been released.

[Kremmen]

Trouble is Dan, that ratchet noise is second to fingernails on a blackboard to some/most of us, horrible noise.

I also seem to remember a post where they questioned whether the ratchet edges would wear away in time ?

I've never had to do it in the past with any car and so far I've not had any problems with the Civic one either, but I do put it on with some leverage and I do always try to push the lever down to ensure it is in the ratchet properly. Force of habit now.

[alanwalne]

As long as everyone follows the highway code and leaves the car in gear, it does not matter what you do.

[Smarty]

Unless you whack it in reverse on an upslope?

[ric type r]

Mine booked in for fix, 7th july.

[pjr]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Followers of this thread may remember that I stated on 2nd May I would write to Honda UK to seek written advice on how to apply the replacement handbrake. At the third attempt, I have, today, received that advice. It is from Steve Dyer, Manager, Customer Operations. It reads,

"Honda would recommend that you continue to follow the advice detailed within the owner's handbook and further detailed within the correspondence to you regarding handbrake operation".

Steve ignores the point in my last letter to him that the replacement handbrake was meant to reduce inconvenience. Not to touch the release button on applying the handbrake was defined as the inconvenience.

So there we have it folks, probably as most of us expected.

I think the wording of the letter sent out to all affected by Recorded Delivery last November/December could have been better.

I will now put my tin hat on!

I had my handbrake recall done today. When I was getting my keys back, I asked how I should apply the new handbrake - either as the handbook & letter said (not pressing the button at all), or the way I used to apply it before, pressing the button.

I was told that I could press the button to mostly apply the handbrake, and then let the button go and ratchet it up a couple of clicks - This came from the aftersales manager at my local dealer.

Think I'll just keep ratcheting it up, and leaving the car in gear as well.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by pjr

I had my handbrake recall done today. When I was getting my keys back, I asked how I should apply the new handbrake - either as the handbook & letter said (not pressing the button at all), or the way I used to apply it before, pressing the button.

I was told that I could press the button to mostly apply the handbrake, and then let the button go and ratchet it up a couple of clicks - This came from the aftersales manager at my local dealer.

Think I'll just keep ratcheting it up, and leaving the car in gear as well.

Thank you pjr. Ditto. My wife and I are very apprehensive on applying the replacement handbrake when parking on a slope. It should not be the case.

[cb550]

Originally Posted by pjr

I had my handbrake recall done today. When I was getting my keys back, I asked how I should apply the new handbrake - either as the handbook & letter said (not pressing the button at all), or the way I used to apply it before, pressing the button.

I was told that I could press the button to mostly apply the handbrake, and then let the button go and ratchet it up a couple of clicks - This came from the aftersales manager at my local dealer.

Think I'll just keep ratcheting it up, and leaving the car in gear as well.

Advise from the dealer pretty well sums it up to me-it does just seem common sense.
I've never knowingly left my car parked with the gearbox in neutral.On a level plane a car may be okay,but a handbrake is nothing more than a friction device;brakes will normally be expanded through heat.When cooled inevitably some contraction will take place.

Auto's have a P pos'n for use along with the handbrake.Car designer's anticipate the handbrake can never be foolproof,providing for that with the park pos'n with auto.For those with manuals we have first and reverse

[Smarty]

I've had my letter now - all I need to do is find some time to take it in for replacing. I've always parked with car in gear so its not going to change anything really, I just want that extra bit of piece and mind...

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Smarty

I've had my letter now - all I need to do is find some time to take it in for replacing. I've always parked with car in gear so its not going to change anything really, I just want that extra bit of piece and mind...

I hope you find it.......

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Smarty

I've had my letter now - all I need to do is find some time to take it in for replacing. I've always parked with car in gear so its not going to change anything really, I just want that extra bit of piece and mind...

Apparently it can be replaced in about thirty minutes, I'll be waiting with mine when I take it in.